Small Modular Reactors (SMR), Hydrogen Industry, and Smart Cities: Connecting the Future Industries

1. Introduction: The Changing Energy Paradigm and the Rise of Future Cities

President Donald Trump has been known for his strong support of the fossil fuel industry. However, on March 3, 2023, he announced a plan to build 'Freedom Cities' on federal land, aligning with the concept of smart cities and demonstrating a shift toward next-generation urban development. (cnn.com)

On the same day, he also pledged to implement Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) on a large scale as a way to reduce energy costs in the United States. (nypost.com) This move is interpreted as a push toward utilizing nuclear power for clean energy, which increases the potential linkage between SMRs, future cities, and the hydrogen economy.

Given this policy shift from a traditional fossil fuel-based approach to nuclear power and smart cities, it is essential to explore how SMRs, the hydrogen industry, and smart cities are interconnected.

How do these three sectors relate to each other, and how will they shape the industries of the future? In this article, we will analyze how these three critical technologies intertwine and drive global industrial transformation.

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2. Small Modular Reactors (SMR): The Next-Generation Nuclear Technology

✅ What Are SMRs?

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are nuclear reactors that are designed to be smaller and more modular than traditional large-scale reactors. Typically producing less than 300MW of electricity, SMRs offer several advantages:

✔ Enhanced Safety: Simplified design with lower risk of accidents than traditional nuclear power plants
✔ Non-Proliferation: Less risk of plutonium extraction, reducing nuclear weapon proliferation concerns
✔ Decentralized Power Generation: Can be installed in remote areas or smaller regions for localized power supply
✔ Cost-Effective Construction: Requires less capital investment and shorter construction time compared to large reactors

✅ Global Deployment of SMRs

SMR development is gaining traction in several countries worldwide:

• United States: Companies like NuScale and TerraPower are receiving government support for SMR deployment

• Europe: The UK’s Rolls-Royce and France’s EDF are heavily investing in SMR technology

• Japan: Following the Fukushima disaster, Japan is focusing on SMR development as a safer alternative

• South Korea: Companies like Doosan Enerbility and KAERI (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute) are advancing SMR technology

Additionally, on January 12, 2021, President Trump issued an executive order promoting SMRs for national defense and space exploration, emphasizing their strategic importance. (trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov)

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3. Hydrogen Industry: The Future of Clean Energy

✅ Why Is Hydrogen the Energy Source of the Future?

Hydrogen is an eco-friendly energy source that produces zero carbon emissions when burned. However, its environmental impact varies depending on the production method:

✔ Green Hydrogen: Produced via water electrolysis using renewable energy sources like solar and wind
✔ Blue Hydrogen: Generated from natural gas with carbon capture and storage (CCS) to reduce emissions
✔ Pink Hydrogen: Produced using nuclear energy as a power source

Notably, SMRs play a crucial role in hydrogen production (Pink Hydrogen) due to their high energy efficiency. By utilizing high-temperature steam electrolysis (HTSE), SMRs can produce hydrogen with 35% higher efficiency compared to traditional electrolysis.

✅ The Connection Between SMRs and Hydrogen Production

SMRs are particularly well-suited for hydrogen production. High-temperature steam electrolysis (HTSE) can significantly improve efficiency and reduce the cost of hydrogen production, making the hydrogen economy more viable.

This advancement will accelerate hydrogen adoption in various sectors, including transportation, industrial applications, and smart cities.

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4. Smart Cities: Driving SMR and Hydrogen Industry Growth

✅ What Are Smart Cities?

A smart city is an urban development that integrates advanced technologies for sustainability and efficiency. Key components include:

✔ Carbon Neutrality Goals: Utilizing clean energy sources to operate the city
✔ Optimized Infrastructure: Smart electricity grids, AI-powered traffic management, and IoT-based utilities
✔ Self-Sustaining Energy Systems: Using SMRs and hydrogen as primary energy sources

✅ Why Are Smart Cities Linked to SMRs and Hydrogen?

• Traditional cities rely on centralized, fossil fuel-based infrastructure, making energy transition difficult. In contrast, smart cities can be designed from the ground up with SMRs and hydrogen energy in mind.

• Decentralized energy grids benefit from SMRs, providing reliable power at the city level.

• Hydrogen adoption in transportation (hydrogen-powered buses, trains, and fuel-cell vehicles) and industries aligns with the sustainability goals of smart cities.

Currently, projects such as Saudi Arabia's NEOM, UAE's Masdar City, and South Korea's Smart Cities (Sejong, Busan) are exploring the integration of SMRs and hydrogen energy solutions.

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5. Conclusion: The Blueprint for Future Industries

While Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), the hydrogen industry, and smart cities may appear to be separate industries, they are highly interconnected and drive a major paradigm shift in the global energy transition.

📌 SMRs offer a safe and cost-effective energy source that supports hydrogen production
📌 Hydrogen is the key to a sustainable energy transition
📌 Smart cities will incorporate SMRs and hydrogen infrastructure to build a sustainable future

If Trump’s Freedom Cities initiative materializes, SMRs and hydrogen-powered smart cities could see early commercialization by 2025-2028.

💡 The era of SMRs and hydrogen is not a choice but an inevitability. As smart cities become a reality, these two industries will experience exponential growth.